Taste of Diversity’s Meet the Cooks: Crenshaw’s Chicken and Waffles

You might say Gregory Crenshaw was destined to open a restaurant serving chicken and waffles. The famous restaurant Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles is located just outside the Crenshaw neighborhood in Los Angeles, California.

But he says the same name is just a coincidence.

Crenshaw always wanted to do something to become financially independent and create a legacy for his family. That's why he came up with Crenshaw's Chicken and waffles. The Buffalo native says he began developing his recipe for chicken and waffles in 2019, just about the same time the pandemic hit. He perfected his flavorful food in his tiny apartment kitchen. Crenshaw says he knew he was on to something right from the start.

"Everything is made to order, and it's made with love. It's not just regular fried chicken; it has our unique flavor. Our waffles taste like no other. They're sent from heaven! They're nice and fluffy," Crenshaw said.             

When Crenshaw realized it was time to move out of his kitchen and into a bigger space, he set up shop at his church, Emmanuel Temple, near Erie County Medical Center. Over the next two years, the demand for his tasty chicken and waffles grew, forcing him to move again. This time to Chandler Street in Buffalo's Black Rock neighborhood.  

"From there, we gained a lot of followers. People just kept coming."

Now, Crenshaw may be competing for a chance to take his chicken and waffles to an even bigger stage.

Crenshaw's Chicken and Waffles is one of five minority-owned businesses participating in Erie County's Level Up Taste of Diversity program at SUNY Erie Community College's South campus.     

The program is the brainchild of Erie County Legislator April Baskin. Following the May 14th shooting at the Tops Market on Jefferson Avenue that claimed ten lives, Baskin decided to create a program that would address some of the issues that were highlighted by the tragic shooting, such as the economic disparities and lack of economic opportunities in communities of color.

The program also provides long-term support and guidance for minority and women-owned businesses to help prepare businesses to compete for contracts at the new Bills Stadium under construction in Orchard Park. Under the new stadium community benefits agreement, 30% of concessionaires are required to be a local minority or woman-owned business enterprise. 

The Bills have committed to a small business grant after the 6-week project, which kicked off in November and runs through January.

Crenshaw says it's been a long road from his tiny apartment kitchen to SUNY Erie. He's hopeful the Level Up program will give him and other businesses the support they need to take it to the next level. 

"It's an opportunity to have a seat at the table and learn more about what's needed in the corporate world for businesses like ours to advance to a higher level. The Level Up Program has also brought other minority-owned businesses together to do this."

By Kevin Jolly